George Washington on Practical Slavery

The Founding Father did not have wooden teeth, but he did have lots of slaves, and the occasional comment to make on practical matters concerning slavery.

Here is George announcing that slaves are as good as cash, but only if you watch the prices carefully:

"I can have no idea of giving eighty or ninety pounds a head for slaves when I am well informed that for ready money the best common labouring negroes in this State, may be bought for less than sixty, and others in proportion. For this species of property I have no predilection nor any urgent call, being already over stocked with some kind of it; consequently can have no inducement to give 50 pr. Ct. more than the like property is offered for and doth actually sell at. A payment in negroes, if this was to take place, can be considered in no other light by either of us, than as ready money; it stops the payment of it, and is I presume a convenience."
-- Letter George Washington to John F. Mercer, December 19, 1786.

Here's George announcing with relief that that silly abolition of slavery motion by the ever-troublesome Quakers has been safely buried in Congress:

"The memorial of the Quakers (and a very mal-apropos one it was) has at length been put to sleep, and will scarcely awake before the year 1808."
-- George Washington

Here's another take on George celebrating the defeat of that Abolition nonsense:

"our reputation has risen in every part of the Globe; and our credit, especially in Holland, has got higher than that of any Nation in Europe (and where our funds are above par) as appears by Official advices just received. But the conduct we seem to be pursuing will soon bring us back to our late disreputable condition. The introductions of the (Quaker) Memorial respecting [the abolition of] Slavery, was to be sure, not only an illjudged piece of business, but occasioned a great waste of time. The final decision thereon, however, was as favourable as the proprietors of that species of property could have expected considering the great dereliction to Slavery in a large part of this Union."
-- George Washington

Here's George worrying that those damn Quakers are going to make it so decent God-fearing citizens fear to bring their slaves to town:

"Dear Sir: I give you the trouble of this letter at the instance of Mr. Dalby of Alexandria; who is called to Philadelphia to attend what he conceives to be a vexatious lawsuit respecting a slave of his, which a Society of Quakers in the city (formed for such purposes) have attempted to liberate; The merits of this case will no doubt appear upon trial. but from Mr. Dalby's state of the matter, it should seem that this Society is not only acting repugnant to justice so far as its conduct concerns strangers, but, in my opinion extremely impolitickly with respect to the State, the City in particular; and without being able, (but by acts of tyranny and oppression) to accomplish their own ends. He says the conduct of this society is not sanctioned by Law: had the case been otherwise, whatever my opinion of the Law might have been, my respect for the policy of the State would on this occasion have appeared in my silence; because against the penalties of promulgated Laws one may guard; but there is no avoiding the snares of individuals, or of private societies. And if the practice of this Society of which Mr. Dalby speaks, is not discountenanced, none of those whose misfortune it is to have slaves as attendants, will visit the City if they can possibly avoid it; because by so doing they hazard their property; or they must be at the expence (and this will not always succeed) of providing servants of another description for the trip."
-- Letter George Washington to Robert Morris, April 12, 1786

Here's George worrying that arming American slaves might give them inappropriate ideas:

"The policy of our arming Slaves is, in my opinion, a moot point, unless the enemy set the example; for should we begin to form Battalions of them, I have not the smallest doubt (if the War is to be prosecuted) of their following us in it, and justifying the measure upon our own ground; the upshot then must be, who can arm fastest, and where are our Arms? besides, I am not clear that a discrimination will not render Slavery more irksome to those who remain in it; most of the good and evil things of this life are judged of by comparison; and I fear a comparison in this case will be productive of much discontent in those who are held in servitude; but as this is a subject that has never employed much of my thoughts, these are no more than the first crude Ideas that have struck me upon the occasion."
-- George Washington.

George thought that slaves make great retirement gifts:

"Colo. Bd. Moore having informed me that he is endeavouring to make up a Sum of Money to purchase some Slaves for the immediate Support of his Family I do hereby agree to become Answerable to you you as his Trustees on this acct. for the Sum of One Hundd. pounds Curry payable a year hence.
I am Gentn. Yr. Most Obt.
George Washington"

Here's George commenting on how fast disease can wipe out one's investment in slaves:

"I do not value your Six Acres bought of Marshall with the Improvements to any thing at all, for Reasons already known to you. True it is if Mr. West shoud recover from you, you may have a remedy against Mr. Marshall but in how ample a manner is in the breast of other Men to determine. In the next place, you rate the Land bought of my Brother and the Improvemnts to near 700; this at best is only worth what it will fetch and if it sells for half that Sum I will acknowledge myself extreamely mistaken. In the last place by the estimate you sent me some time ago of your Estate you value the Negroes you were then possessed of to 900 and upwards. Suppose for Argument sake they were worth this, does not every body know that the Small Pox, Goal Fever and many other Malignant disorders may sweep the greatest part of them off where then is the Security? and while I am mentioning this matter it is highly necessary to enquire what is become of Henley, Jacob, Winney, Sylvia, Lett, Sarah, Nan and Henrietta Farthing, Negroes contained in your Bill of Sale to me but which I see nothing of in the estimate above mentioned."
-- George Washington to John Posey, Account Book 2, September 24, 1767

Here's George lecturing on the difficulty of fairly pricing slave stock:

"To regulate the Rent by the Rule you have mentioned, I could not consent to, because, if the Plantation had been under good management, it would have fixed it higher than you ought to give; if under bad management, which I believe to be the case, it would fix it too low, and might settle it at nothing. The only true Criterion, is to determine what so much Land, with so much Marsh, in such a part of the Country would Rent for; and next, the Annual Value of so many Slaves, estimating them at their present Worth, at the same time, having respect to the advantages and disadvantages of the Old and the Young, as the one is declining and the other improving."
-- Letter George Washington to John Parke Custis, September 28, 1777

Here's George warning that just owning a lot of slaves doesn't automatically make you wealthy:

"for his estate is of that kind, which rather comes under the denomination of a large than a profitable one. He has it is true a good deal of land and a great many slaves, but the former is more to be esteemed for the situation than the quality, being indifferent and much worn, so that large crops cannot be made from them."
-- George Washington

Here's George behind on his bills, complaining that sometimes investments in land and slaves just don't pay off quickly:

Mount Vernon, August 10, 1764.

Gentlemen: Since my last of the first of May I have received the Goods by Boyes, likewise the Nails pr. Watson, with Letters, Accounts of Sales Accounts Current &ca., which accompanied them; as also another Letter of the 28th. of March by Captn. Hooper.

It might possibly answer very little purpose were I to enter into a minute detail of the Reasons that have caused me to fall so much in arrears to you and therefore I shall not trouble you fully with the particulars at this time but content myself with observing in as few words as the nature of the Subject will admit of that in whatsoever light it may appear to you, it is not less evidently certain that Mischances rather than Misconduct hath been the causes of it; For it was a Misfortune that Seasons and chance shoud prevent my making even tolerable Crops in this part of the Country for three years successively and it was a misfortune likewise when they were made that I shoud get little or nothing for them. It may also be looked upon, as unlucky at least, that the debts which I thought I had collected and actually did remit to you shoud be paid in Bills void of credit, and as things have turned out (and you have such occasion for your money) it is unlucky likewise that I made some purchases of Land and Slaves in this Country since it obliged me to apply more of the Curft. money (which was due to the Estate here) towards the payment thereof than I expected and of consequence more of the Sterlg. Balle. in your hands to the credit of Master Custis in order to Assign him his full dividend of the personal Estate not conceiving in the least degree that I should have occasion for more of it than woud remain after such application was made; because, had these Bills been answered, had my Crops proved good, and sold well, the Balle. I think coud never have been against me.

Generous George was always happy to help recover runaway slaves:

"Sir: My knowledge of the goodness of your Excellency's heart, induces me, without hesitation, to request your attention to an affair which is of consequence to a particular Friend of mine, a Colonel Fitzhugh of the State of Maryland. While the common enemy were in possession of the Chesapeak, they committed great depredations upon that Gentlemans property, burning his Houses and carrying away upwards of forty of his most valuable Slaves. Five of those people, in endeavouring to make their escape from York, were taken in the Bay and put on Board the Magnanime; No person appearing, with proper authority, to claim them, they were unavoidably carried off with the Fleet to the West Indies. I take the liberty of inclosing a list of the names and a description of the persons of the Slaves. Should they be still on Board the Fleet I will take it as a very great favor if your Excellency will direct them to be sent back by any Vessel coming either to Virginia or Maryland, or should they have been sent on shore and put under the care of any particular Gentleman, you will oblige me by giving him information to whom they belong and desiring him to Send them back to their Master, who will pay the expences of their passage."
-- Letter George Washington to Francois Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse, February 6, 1782

George didn't see any reason not to bring along a personal slave or two to help him fight for freedom at Valley Forge, but he certainly didn't want the army weakened by the inclusion of boys, geezers or slaves in the ranks:

"The General being anxious to have the established Regiments, compleated, with all possible expedition, desires the Colonels, and commanding Officers, forthwith to send an Officer from each incompleat Company, into the Country, upon the recruiting service; who are expressly forbid enlisting any Boys--Old Men--or Slaves:--These Officers are also to use their best endeavour, to get what good Arms they can--The Recruiting in Camp, is also to be continued"
-- Letter George Washington, February 21, 1776, General Orders

George was a strong believer in only buying slaves when you had a profitable application for them:

"Sir: I have received your letter of today, and in answer to it must inform you that I have no inclination to purchase the Negro fellow which you mention as I have already as many Slaves as I wish"
-- Letter George Washington to John Fowler, February 2, 1788

George shopped around carefully for his slaves:

My dear Sir: I thank you for asking my commands to Fredericksburg. It is not my wish to be your competitor in the purchase of any of Mr. Hunters tradesmen: especially as I am in a great degree principled against increasing my number of Slaves by purchase and suppose moreover that Negroes sold on credit will go high. yet if you are not disposed to buy the Bricklayer which is advertized for Sale, for your own use, find him in the vigour of life, from report a good workman and of tolerable character and his price does not exceed one hundred, or a few more pounds, I should be glad if you would buy him for me. I have much work in this way to do this Summer.
-- Letter George Washington to Henry Lee, February 4, 1787

Of course, an indentured servant is almost as good as a slave:

Dear Sir: The House Joiner you bought for me has arrived. I like his age, professions, and appearance very well and am obliged to you for procuring him. His Indentures may be sent at any time. As the Season for working with Mortar will soon be over, and that of intermitrants is now approaching, I pray you unless a very good Bricklayer should offer, not to purchase one for me after the 15th. of this Month.
-- Letter George Washington to Tench Tilghman, August 4, 1784

George would even settle for Jews or Atheists in a pinch:

Dear Sir: I am informed that a Ship with Palatines is gone up to Baltimore, among whom are a number of Trademen. I am a good deal in want of a House Joiner and Bricklayer, (who really understand their profession) and you would do me a favor by purchasing one of each, for me. I would not confine you to Palatines. If they are good workmen, they may be of Asia, Africa, or Europe. They may be Mahometans, Jews or Christian of an Sect, or they may be Athiests. I would however prefer middle aged, to young men. and those who have good countenances and good characters on ship board, to others who have neither of these to recommend them, altho, after all, the proof of the pudding must be in the eating. I do not limit you to a price, but will pay the purchase money on demand. This request will be in force 'till complied with, or countermanded, because you may not succeed at this moment, and have favourable ones here after to do it in. My best respects, in which Mrs. Washington joins, are presented to Mrs. Tilghman and Mrs. Carroll. and I am etc.
-- Letter George Washington to Tench Tilghman, March 24, 1784

Here's George trying to retrieve runaway slaves from Florida without causing an international incident with Spain:

Sir: The confidence, which your character inclines me to place in you, has induced me to commit the enclosed letter from the Secretary of State to Governor Quesada, and the mode of conducting the object of your mission; delicate in its nature, it will require the greatest address and temper in its treatment; nor must any proposition or declaration be made, which in its consequence might commit the government of the United States.

The enclosed copy of a letter, written by my direction, from the Secretary of State to the Governor of Georgia, which is now confidentially communicated to you, is another source, whence some information may be drawn; but, as my ideas of your personal acquaintance with this business, combined with my opinion of your character and talents to transact it, have determined me to appoint you, it is from your own knowledge, and the circumstances, which may arise, that you must decide on the best means to accomplish the negotiation. Your first care will be to arrest the farther reception of fugitive slaves, your next to obtain restitution of those slaves, who have fled to Florida, since the date of Governor Quesada's letter to Mr. Jefferson, notifying the orders of his Catholic Majesty; and your last object, which may demand the greatest address, will be to give a retrospective force to the orders of the Court of Spain, beyond the date of that letter, and to procure the Governor's order for a general relinquishment of all fugitive slaves, who were the property of citizens of the United States. This last instruction will require peculiar delicacy, and must be entered on with caution and circumspection, or not be taken up at all, as appearances of compliance may justify the one or the other.

If your collectorate cannot furnish money to defray your expenses, in which you will observe due oeconomy, and of which you will transmit an account to the Secretary of State, you will supply yourself from the Collector of Savannah. I am &c
-- Letter George Washington to James Seagrove, May 20, 1791

George Washington also thought slaves make great gifts for Mother:

"Dear Sir: If my last letter to you, containing the Bond of the deceased Mr. Dandridge on which you were requested to bring suit, was not sufficiently explanatory of the intention, I now beg leave to inform you that my meaning is after Judgement shall have been obtained and execution levied on the Slaves belonging to the estate of the decd. Gentn. that you, or Mr. John Dandridge, in behalf of his Mother, wd. purchase for her use such as she may want, on my acct. In a word, as it is at the request of Mr. John Dandridge that suits are instituted, my wish is to accommodate the family as far as I can consistently, the mode of doing it I leave to you. being with very great esteem etc."
-- Letter George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., March 9, 1788

George busy retrieving slaves again:

"Dr. Sir: The letter of which the inclosed is a copy was put into my hands a few days since. Mrs. Robinson is a perfect stranger to me and I would hope has been led into some misconceptions. I have however, as not only your own honor but that of the service is concerned thought it essential to send the whole representation.

Should you have been induced from any circumstances attending her capture, or the Slaves own account, to suppose her lawful plunder at the time of taking, I have no doubt, should this have been the case, but that on a more full consideration you will readily make a restitution. I am, etc"
-- Letter George Washington to Daniel Morgan, October 27, 1779

Here's George picking up a slave and a horse, while dodging payment:

"Gentn: In answer to your favour of the 28th. Ulto. If Mr. Danl. Jenifer Adams (to whom I have now wrote) will suffer a Condemnation of the Land, Slave and Horse which I attached, will surrender possession of the two last; and join his Sisters in conveying the former to me, I will become answerable to you (upon Mr. Stromats giving me the same Indulgence in time of payment that you do) for your claim against the Estate of his deceased Father Mr. Josias Adams. But I shall expect Gentn. that you will not insist upon my paying the Money before our April Meeting of Merchts. next year for you know that all, at least most money matters in this Colony are transacted at those times I might as well therefore undertake to discharge these Debts of Mr. Adams in October next as to do it any time between that and the Meeting in April as it is at these times only I receive my Money. I am Gentn., etc."
-- George Washington to Knox & Baille, Account Book 2, March 8, 1775

Here's George avoiding getting stuck with some unproductive slaves:

Dear Sir: Your letter of the 27th. Ulto. came duly to hand, but company and other occurences have with-held my acknowledgement of it till now.

It is not my wish to add Land or Slaves to my present possessions but much less is it my desire to distress your father's Estate by insisting on Cash in discharge of his Bonds. Western Lands, however valuable and productive they may be to residents have been found an incumbrance to me, although in point of quality, situation and natural advantages, mine are exceeded by none, the tract therefore on Elk-horn would by no means suit me; but if you will inform me in whose occupation the Gloucester tract is and on what terms; Who was the former Proprietor of it, and how it is employed, and at the same time furnish me with a plat, or the courses of it that I may see the shape and to have it examined, I will, as soon after as it can well be done, give you a decisive answer with respect to your proposal.

Your Aunt and sister offer their love to you, the rest of the family unite in every good wish but none with more sincerity than, Dear Sir Yr. etc.
-- Letter George Washington to John Dandridge, November 18, 1788

George goes to bat to stop the British from freeing thousands of American-owned slaves:

General Washington opened the Conference by observing that he heretofore had transmitted to Sir Guy Carleton the Resolutions of Congress of the 15th. Ulto. that he conceived a personal Conference would be the most speedy and satisfactory Mode of discussing and sealing the Business and that therefore he had requested the Interview. That the Resolutions of Congress related to three distinct Matters namely the setting at Liberty the Prisoners, the receiving Possession of the Posts occupied by the British Troops and the obtaining the delivery of all negroes and other Property of the Inhabitants of these States in the possession of the Forces or Subjects of or adherents to his Britannic Majesty. That with respect to the Liberation of the Prisoners, he had as far as the Business rested with him, put in Train by meeting and conferring with the Secretary at War and concerting with that Officer the proper Measures for collecting the Prisoners and forwarding them to New York and that it was to be optional with Sir Guy Carleton whether the Prisoners should march by Land or whether he would send Transports to convey them by Sea and that the Secretary at War was to communicate with Sir Guy Carleton on the subject and obtain his Determination and with respect to the other two Matters which were the Objects of the Resolution General Washington requested the Sentiments of Sir Guy Carleton. Sir Guy Carleton then observed that his Expectations of a Peace had been such as that he had anticipated the Event by very early commencing his Preparations to withdraw the British Troops from this Country and that every Preparation which Iris Situation and Circumstances would permit was still continued, that an additional Number of Transports and which were expected were necessary to remove the Troops and Stores, and as it was impossible to ascertain the Time when these Transports would arrive their Passages depending on the Casualties of the Seas he was therefore unable to fix a determinate Period within which the British forces would be withdrawn from the City of New York, but that it was his Desire to exceed even our own Wishes in this respect and that he was using every Means in his Power to effect with all possible Dispatch an Evacuation of that and every other Post within the United States occupied by the British Troops and under his Direction, that he considered as included in the Preparations for the final Departure of the British Troops the previously sending off those Persons who supposed that from the part they had taken in the present War it would be most eligible for them to leave this Country and that upwards of 6.000 Persons of this Character had embarked and sailed and that in this Embarkation a Number of Negroes were comprised. General Washington thereupon expressed his Surprize that after what appeared to him an express Stipulation to the Contrary in the Treaty Negroes the Property of the Inhabitants of these States should be sent off; to which Sir Guy Carleton replied that he wished to be considered as giving no Construction to the Treaty that by Property in the Treaty might only be intended Property at the time the Negroes were sent off, that there was a difference in the Mode of Expression in the Treaty Archives Papers &c. were to be restored , Negroes and other Property were only not to be destroyed or carried away but he principally insisted that he conceived it could not have been the intention of the British Government by the Treaty of Peace to reduce themselves to the necessity of violating their Faith to the Negroes who came into the British Lines under the Proclamation of his Predecessors in Command, that he forbore to express his Sentiments on the Propriety of these Proclamations but that delivering up the Negroes to their former Masters would be delivering them up some possibly to Execution and others to severe Punishment which in his Opinion would be a dishonorable Violation of the public Faith pledged to the Negroes in the Proclamations that if the sending off the Negroes should hereafter be declared an Infraction of the Treaty, Compensation must be made by the Crown of Great Britain to the Owners, that he had taken Measures to provide for this by directing a Register to be kept of all the Negroes who were sent off specifying the Name Age and Occupation of the Slave and the Name and Place of Residence of his former Master.

General Washington again observed that he concieved this Conduct on the part of Sir Guy Carleton a Departure both from the Letter and Spirit of the Articles of Peace and particularly mentioned a Difficulty that would arise in compensating the Proprietors of Negroes admitting this Infraction of the Treaty could be satisfied by such compensation as Sir Guy Carleton had alluded to, as it was impossible to ascertain the Value of the Slaves from any Fact or Circumstance which may appear in the Register, the value of a Slave consisting chiefly in his Industry and Sobriety and General Washington further mentioned a Difficulty which would attend identifying the Slave supposing him to have changed his own Name or to have given in a wrong Name of his former Master. In answer to which Sir Guy Carleton said that as the Negro was free and secured against his Master he could have no Inducement to conceal either his own true Name or that of his Master. Sir Guy Carleton then observed that he was not by the Treaty held to deliver up any Property but was only restricted from carrying it away and therefore admitting the Interpretation of the Treaty as given by Genl. Washington to be just he was notwithstanding pursuing a Measure which would operate most for the Security of Proprietors for if the Negroes were left to themselves without Care or Control from him Numbers of them would very probably go off and not return to the parts of the Country they came from, or clandestinely get on board the Transports in Manner which it would not be in his Power to prevent in either of which Cases and inevitable Loss would ensue to the Proprietors but as the Business was now conducted they had at least a Chance for Compensation; and concluded the Conversation on this Subject by saying that he imagined that the Mode of compensating as well as the Accounts and other Points with respect to which there was no express Provision made by the Treaty must be adjudged by Commissioners to be hereafter appointed by the two Nations.

The Subject of with-drawing the British Troops from the Territories of the United States was again resumed and Sir Guy Carleton declared his Willingness at a short day to be agreed on between him and General Washington to evacuate his Posts in West Chester County and to issue his Orders that the British Troops should not on any Pretence pass the River, which separates that County from the Island of New York but with respect to a Relinquishment of any part of Long Island he was apprehensive it would be attended with Difficulties and Inconveniences and, particularly he was fearful it would tend to favor Desertions from the British Army and therefore he would give no determinate Answer, but he was disposed immediately to abandon Penobscot if General Washington chose it, tho' he said that would necessarily retard the Evacuation of New York as there was not a competent Number of Transports to convey the Troops and Stores from both Places at the same time.

The Conference lasted some Hours but as much passed which both General Washington and Sir Guy Carleton expressed their Wishes might be considered as desultory Conversation it is not recapitulated in the above Narrative which contains only the Substance of the Conference as far as it related to the Points intended to be discussed and settled at the Interview.

Sir: I have received your letter of the 9th instant enclosing a letter from Captain O'Bryen, giving a detail of the sufferings of himself and several other unfortunate Americans, who are slaves in Algiers, and requesting that some measures may be taken by the government for their redemption.

Mr. Jefferson, our minister at the court of France, has in view, among other objects, the redemption of these unfortunate men; but what advances he has made in it, or whether he will be able to accomplish it or not, for want of the means, I am unable at present to say.

I am not satisfied that it would be proper, as you suggest, for me to begin or bring forward a subscription among the merchants and others in the maritime towns of this country, to raise a fund for delivering these unhappy men from their state of bondage; but I would cheerfully give every aid in my power to accomplish this humane and benevolent purpose. I am &c.

Sir: I am sorry it is not in my power to give you such precise information relative to the subject of your Letter to me of the 9 instant as may be satisfactory to yourself, or serviceable to the object mentioned in it.

I do not recollect ever to have seen the Will of the Revd. Mr. Green, so that I can say nothing from that; but I remember it was impressed on my mind that the woman Sarah, of whom you speak, was to have had her freedom, but whether it was to have taken place on the death of Mr. Green, or on the death of his wife, or from what other period, I am not able to say. I recollect, however, that she lived with Mrs. Green while she was a widow, and after her marriage to Doctr. Savage, but whether as a slave, or upon other conditions is more than I know. The Revd. Mr. Fairfax and myself were appointed Trustees on behalf of Mrs. Savage for certain purposes, but they had no relation to this woman. If a referrence to Mr. Green's will be necessary on this subject, I presume it may be found among the records of Fairfax County. I am etc.

The Founding Father mournfully reports that he has been unable to recover "vast numbers" of slaves escaped from the US to Canada.

My dear Sir: A few days ago I wrote to you from Newburgh; and informed you (if I mistake not) of the meeting I was to hold with Sir Guy Carleton consequent of the resolve of Congress directing me to make arrangements with him for delivery of the Posts, Negros and other property belonging to the Citizens of the United States.

This meeting I have had; but the Indisposition of Genl. Carleton has taken him back to New York this Morning before fore the business could be brought to a close: I have discovered enough however, in the course of the conversation which was held, to convince me that the Slaves which have absconded from their Masters will never be restored to them. Vast numbers of them are already gone to Nova Scotia, and the Construction which he (Sir Guy) puts upon the 7th. article of the provisional treaty differs very widely from ours; but as I have given him my Sentiments in writing and have not yet received his in that way I cannot be more explicit at this time on this Subject. I could not however, altho' I am hurried, and upon the point of returning to Newburgh forbear giving you this concise acct. of my interview and the little good which I think is to be expected from the aforesaid article respecting the Negros. I am etc.
-- Letter George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, May 6, 1783

George doing his best to nab a friend's lost slaves, and peeved about some of his own:

Immediately upon the receipt of your Letter of the 31st. Ulto, I transmitted the list of your Slaves to a Gentleman; a worthy active Man, of my acquaintance in N York and requested him to use his endeavors to obtain and forward them to you. All that can be done, I am sure he will do, but I have but little expectation that many will be recovered; several of my own are with the Enemy but I scarce ever bestowed a thought on them; they have so many doors through which they can escape from New York, that scarce any thing but an inclination to return, or voluntarily surrender of themselves will restore many to their former Masters, even supposing every disposition on the part of the Enemy to deliver them. With great truth etc.
-- Letter George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, April 30, 1783

Ever-helpful George helping locate lost slaves in New York:

Dear Sir: In the latter part of last Spring, the Commissioners appointed to attend the embarkations at New York, previous to the evacuation of the city, made a report of their proceedings to me, accompanied by a voluminous list of the Slaves which had left that place. Soon after having the pleasure of Mr. Reeds41 company here, he informed me in conversation, that the list42 I had received was a duplicate of what had been sent to Congress; upon which I filed it with my public papers. By the last Post he says he had been under a mistake, and wished me to forward the papers which are in my hands, to Congress. This I most assuredly would have done, but they are too bulky for the mail, and liable to much injury from the nature of such a carriage. However I will wait your direction, after acquainting you that two of the Commrs. Egbert Benson Esqr. and Lieut. Colo. Smith, with the Secretary Mr. Saml. Inches (and undoubtedly the papers from which the report, and proceedings were founded) are in N: York. If notwithstanding it is necessary to resort to me, the originals (for it is not in my power to make copies) shall be sent; altho it will make a chasm in my files, and disappoint many who apply to them for information respecting their negroes. I am, etc
-- Letter George Washington to Charles Thomson, April 5, 1785